As if anyone, even the most delusional, still harboured any hopes of the Raptors making the post-season, they were extinguished by the gang from Gotham.

Toronto's chances went from slim to none when it couldn't extend a season-long six-game win streak and couldn't defend.

On Saturday, the Raptors dealt New York its playoff blow.

Yesterday, it was the Knicks' turn to return the favour, beating the host Raptors 112-103 to officially eliminate Toronto from the playoff chase.

"I appreciate you letting me know,'' interim head coach Jay Triano said when apprised by a reporter of Toronto's fate.

"I didn't realize that this was it. Our goal is to try to win every game and it is still going to be our goal moving forward.

"It is not going to change. We are going to try to play better than we did (yesterday) and see if we can win some more basketball games."

With six games remaining, the 30-46 Raptors need to win at least three to avoid a 50-loss season, the team's first since the 2005 season.

The Raptors have played well of late, but the quality of the opposition has been suspect, save for the Orlando Magic, which clearly looked past Toronto last week.

The Raptors have been able to win because they've been making shots.

When Toronto is scoring by sharing the ball and pushing the tempo, the players tend to play harder on defence and appear more willing to box out and track down misses.

The energy level wasn't as high yesterday as it was during Saturday's win in New York.

The Knicks, much like the Raptors, are lottery-bound, but they were making three-pointers at will, outscoring the hosts 39-12 from beyond the three-point arc.

"We did a pretty good job in New York running them off the line,'' Triano said. "(Yesterday) it started with a little penetration early and they were able to get to the basket."

To their credit, the Raptors didn't quit.

"When you give guys open looks, especially early in the game, they get their confidence and they are tough to stop,'' Chris Bosh said.

Bosh posted his 38th double-double of the season and insisted the thought of not playing in the playoffs hadn't sunk in. It may today.

"No, not really,'' he said. "Despite us not being able to make the playoffs, I still want us to win while we are on the court.

"We are going to come out and play hard. We still have to be professional and we have to be true to ourselves."

Jose Calderon always believed his team would make the playoffs, even though there were few signs of the Raptors realistically making a serious push.

"We knew it was really difficult to be in that position,'' he said. "But we are going to try to keep going and win more games."

The Raptors made a run in the fourth-quarter yesterday, but the Knicks had the answer.

Whether it was Quentin Richardson or Wilson Chandler, someone stepped up from long range.

"We've been playing pretty good the last six games,'' Calderon said. "But (yesterday) not that good.

"We were fighting for the whole game, but we couldn't make a shot. Quentin Richardson had a big night from long range.

"We have to keep working and everyone is feeling better the way we are playing."

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REPLAY

YESTERDAY AT AIR CANADA CENTRE

THREE'S A CROWD

When they beat the Knicks at the world's most famous arena on Saturday afternoon, the Raptors yielded four three-pointers. In yesterday's rematch, the Knicks torched Toronto from beyond the three-point line, going 13 of 25.

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE

Highly touted Knicks rookie forward Danilo Gallinari is scheduled to undergo back surgery this week in Italy. Gallinari is one of three Italians playing in the NBA. Assuming all goes well, Gallinari will be ready for next season.